BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGEONS AZ OVERVIEW

At Elite Plastic Surgery, it is our goal to help women feel whole again with breast reconstruction surgery. Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Rozbeh Torabi, Dr. Joseph Zakhary, Dr. Tim Matatov, and Dr. Oren Tessler can restore the breasts back to a more normal shape, appearance, and size following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, skin alterations from radiation treatment, uneven breasts since birth, ruptured breast implants, or a trauma to the breast tissues. By applying the latest advancements in medical technology, Drs. Torabi, Zakhary, Matatov, and Tessler can complete a partial or complete rebuilding of the breast(s) using synthetic implants, your own fat, muscle, and tissue, or a combination of these techniques. Every patient is different, so results and surgical techniques may vary from patient to patient. Our team of compassionate nurses alongside our highly-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeons can help restore, not only your breast tissue, but also the self-esteem, sensuality, and quality of life you had before. We hope that women, who have had their breasts removed for any reason, can feel physically and mentally rewarded after the restoration of their breasts at our practice. We would love to sit down with you and discuss all of your options for breast reconstruction at our Phoenix office.

PAP FLAP

When there is not enough tissue on the abdominal wall to recreate your breast(s), our plastic surgeon can recreate the breast with a profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap using the blood vessels, skin and tissue from the upper thigh.

COMPOSITE STACKED FLAP

A composite stacked flap reconstruction combines other flap surgeries, such as DIEP (abdomen), PAP (inner thigh) or LTP (upper outer thigh and hips), to provide enough tissue to reconstruct the breast and is often called a “4 flap reconstruction.” A benefit of the composite or combined stack flap is the contouring of the abdomen and thighs with the same type of techniques used in a tummy tuck and thigh lift.

ONCOPLASTIC LUMPECTOMY

An oncoplastic lumpectomy reconstruction uses existing breast tissue to rearrange or restructure the breast so that it will look and feel as natural and even as before the lumpectomy.

DIRECT-TO-IMPLANT

When using autologous tissue to create a flap for breast reconstruction is not possible or wanted, our plastic surgeons can perform a direct-to-implant reconstruction (a “one-step” reconstruction). This reconstruction is generally offered to women who have nipple, areola, and/or skin sparing mastectomies and will not require radiation therapy after the operation.

DO I QUALIFY FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY?

Breast reconstruction surgery is common to restore one or both breasts after:

A mastectomy, lumpectomy, or other breast cancer treatment

A traumatic injury that damaged the breast tissue

Congenital (birth) defects, such as a missing breast

Extreme weight loss

RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGICAL TECHNIQUES

The most common breast reconstruction techniques practiced at Elite Plastic Surgery are:

Transferring skin, muscle, and fat tissue from other areas to the breast

A combination of implant and natural tissue enhancements

Flap reconstruction

Following a mastectomy, the skin and fat are taken from another part of the body and used to create a breast mound. The tissue can be taken from the back, buttocks, and thigh, but is more commonly taken from the abdomen. Depending on the flap used, the tissue can either be transferred with its own blood flow or small blood vessels will need to be reconnected by the plastic surgeon under a microscope to reestablish blood flow to the flap.

Implant-based reconstruction

Following a mastectomy, the plastic surgeon will either insert a gel implant (one-stage reconstruction), or a temporary tissue expander (two-stage reconstruction) into a pocket formed under the muscle and remaining skin on the chest wall. In two-stage reconstruction, saline solution is gradually inserted into the tissue expander to stretch the muscle and skin. Once the pocket has reached the desired size, the expander is left in place for 2 – 3 months. Then, the expander is removed and replaced with a silicone gel implant.

You may also need nipple reconstruction, breast augmentation, a breast lift, breast reduction, or a combination of these surgeries to enhance symmetry and provide the best aesthetic results. If only one breast is being reconstructed, the surgeon will try to match the reconstructed breast to your natural breast.

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION RECOVERY AND HEALING

Many breast reconstruction patients experience a dull ache for a couple of days after surgery, so your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain killers and muscle relaxers as needed for the discomfort. It is also a requirement for breast reconstruction patients to wear a supportive bra day and night. The recovery time for breast surgery is 2 – 4 weeks with some patients experiencing breast tenderness even longer. Strenuous activity should be avoided for a 6-week period, but light activity can begin as early as 4 weeks. Follow all of the aftercare instructions provided by our team. Dr. Torabi, Dr. Zakhary, Dr. Matatov, or Dr. Tessler will discuss with you any specific risks or complications prior to your specific procedure. Wound breakdown and infection can be a problem especially in tobacco users, or if aftercare and follow up treatments are not adhered to properly.

DOES INSURANCE COVER BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY IN AZ?

The Women’s Health and Cancer Act (WHCA) was signed into federal law in 1998 and requires that health insurance companies cover breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. For more information on this law and breast cancer, please visit www.cancer.org.

PLAN YOUR PROCEDURE

SCHEDULE YOUR RECONSTRUCTIVE BREAST SURGERY CONSULTATION

While women do not need to have their breasts restored after cancer treatments or an accident, breast reconstruction surgery may help your physical and emotional recovery. Please contact Elite Plastic Surgery in Phoenix to schedule your consultation and learn about your breast reconstruction options.

RELATED PROCEDURES

REQUEST CONSULTATION

At Elite Plastic Surgery, it is our goal to help women feel whole again with breast reconstruction surgery. Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Rozbeh Torabi, Dr. Joseph Zakhary, Dr. Tim Matatov, and Dr. Oren Tessler can restore the breasts back to a more normal shape, appearance, and size following a mastectomy, lumpectomy, skin alterations from radiation treatment, uneven breasts since birth, ruptured breast implants, or a trauma to the breast tissues. By applying the latest advancements in medical technology, Drs. Torabi, Zakhary, Matatov, and Tessler can complete a partial or complete rebuilding of the breast(s) using synthetic implants, your own fat, muscle, and tissue, or a combination of these techniques. Every patient is different, so results and surgical techniques may vary from patient to patient. Our team of compassionate nurses alongside our highly-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeons can help restore, not only your breast tissue, but also the self-esteem, sensuality, and quality of life you had before. We hope that women, who have had their breasts removed for any reason, can feel physically and mentally rewarded after the restoration of their breasts at our practice. We would love to sit down with you and discuss all of your options for breast reconstruction at our Phoenix office.

PAP FLAP

When there is not enough tissue on the abdominal wall to recreate your breast(s), our plastic surgeon can recreate the breast with a profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap using the blood vessels, skin and tissue from the upper thigh.

COMPOSITE STACKED FLAP

A composite stacked flap reconstruction combines other flap surgeries, such as DIEP (abdomen), PAP (inner thigh) or LTP (upper outer thigh and hips), to provide enough tissue to reconstruct the breast and is often called a “4 flap reconstruction.” A benefit of the composite or combined stack flap is the contouring of the abdomen and thighs with the same type of techniques used in a tummy tuck and thigh lift.

ONCOPLASTIC LUMPECTOMY

An oncoplastic lumpectomy reconstruction uses existing breast tissue to rearrange or restructure the breast so that it will look and feel as natural and even as before the lumpectomy.

DIRECT-TO-IMPLANT

When using autologous tissue to create a flap for breast reconstruction is not possible or wanted, our plastic surgeons can perform a direct-to-implant reconstruction (a “one-step” reconstruction). This reconstruction is generally offered to women who have nipple, areola, and/or skin sparing mastectomies and will not require radiation therapy after the operation.

The most common breast reconstruction techniques practiced at Elite Plastic Surgery are:

Transferring skin, muscle, and fat tissue from other areas to the breast

A combination of implant and natural tissue enhancements

Flap reconstruction

Following a mastectomy, the skin and fat are taken from another part of the body and used to create a breast mound. The tissue can be taken from the back, buttocks, and thigh, but is more commonly taken from the abdomen. Depending on the flap used, the tissue can either be transferred with its own blood flow or small blood vessels will need to be reconnected by the plastic surgeon under a microscope to reestablish blood flow to the flap.

Implant-based reconstruction

Following a mastectomy, the plastic surgeon will either insert a gel implant (one-stage reconstruction), or a temporary tissue expander (two-stage reconstruction) into a pocket formed under the muscle and remaining skin on the chest wall. In two-stage reconstruction, saline solution is gradually inserted into the tissue expander to stretch the muscle and skin. Once the pocket has reached the desired size, the expander is left in place for 2 – 3 months. Then, the expander is removed and replaced with a silicone gel implant.

You may also need nipple reconstruction, breast augmentation, a breast lift, breast reduction, or a combination of these surgeries to enhance symmetry and provide the best aesthetic results. If only one breast is being reconstructed, the surgeon will try to match the reconstructed breast to your natural breast.

Many breast reconstruction patients experience a dull ache for a couple of days after surgery, so your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain killers and muscle relaxers as needed for the discomfort. It is also a requirement for breast reconstruction patients to wear a supportive bra day and night. The recovery time for breast surgery is 2 – 4 weeks with some patients experiencing breast tenderness even longer. Strenuous activity should be avoided for a 6-week period, but light activity can begin as early as 4 weeks. Follow all of the aftercare instructions provided by our team. Dr. Torabi, Dr. Zakhary, Dr. Matatov, or Dr Tessler will discuss with you any specific risks or complications prior to your specific procedure. Wound breakdown and infection can be a problem especially in tobacco users, or if aftercare and follow up treatments are not adhered to properly.

The Women’s Health and Cancer Act (WHCA) was signed into federal law in 1998 and requires that health insurance companies cover breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. For more information on this law and breast cancer, please visit www.cancer.org.

While women do not need to have their breasts restored after cancer treatments or an accident, breast reconstruction surgery may help your physical and emotional recovery. Please contact Elite Plastic Surgery in Phoenix to schedule your consultation and learn about your breast reconstruction options.